In a joint statement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the company said the expansion into the country was a direct response to the Battery Electric Vehicle Global Leaders initiative introduced by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.

Tesla announced that booking and purchasing of the Model Y had been available on its website since July 14, with prices ranging from 199,000 ringgit (US$43,083) to 288,000 ringgit, while delivery of the first Tesla unit was anticipated to be around early 2024.

The company said it would be introducing more models in the future to cater to the varying needs and preferences of Malaysians.

The company’s regional director, Isabel Fan, said Tesla had begun low-volume production to prove the security and viability of electric cars, with the revenue generated allowing the company to produce more affordable vehicles and eventually expand into mass-market, high-volume production.

Meanwhile, Tesla is also looking to invest significantly in setting up a vast network of fast and regular charging stations at strategic locations in Malaysia to resolve the issue of a lack of charging infrastructure in the country, thereby encouraging a higher adoption rate of EVs.

Fan said Tesla’s first indoor supercharger station, with a total of eight superchargers, would be opened at the basement of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur soon, pending license approval before commissioning and utilization.

“We will also have the upcoming charging stations in Johor and Penang to make sure our customers will be able to travel from Malaysia to Singapore and Thailand,” she said at the official launch of the company’s Model Y yesterday.

According to Tesla, the Model Y comes in three types: the standard Model Y (rear-wheel drive), Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance. The mid-size SUV is a combination of range, performance, safety and technology that carries over 2,100 liters of cargo space and seating for up to five passengers.

“With ultra-responsive motors, it only takes 3.7 seconds for the Model Y to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour, with a range of up to 533 km (WLTP) per charge,” the company said.

“Model Y comes with an all-glass roof, autopilot, active safety features and a HEPA air filtration system,” it continued.

Aside from launching cars, the company is set to establish a state-of-the-art head office and service center in Cyberjaya to serve as the central hub for all corporate operations, marketing, training, customer support activities and vehicle services.

Tesla said the premises would be equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and staffed with highly trained technicians to offer prompt and reliable after-sale services to customers.

The company also announced that it would establish its experience centers in key metropolitan areas across Malaysia, where customers could explore and experience the latest EV models firsthand, while gaining insights into the benefits of electric mobility.

In line with Malaysia’s goal to promote low-carbon mobility and support the EV industry, Tesla customers will enjoy full import and excise duty exemption for newly registered zero-emission Tesla electric vehicles.

Customers are also eligible for 100 percent road tax exemption and individual income tax relief of up to 2,500 ringgit on expenses related to EV charging facilities for the assessment year of 2023.

At the same time, companies that rent non-commercial EVs are also eligible for tax deductions on the rental amount up to 300,000 ringgit from 2023 until 2025.

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